About the Academic Advisory Board
Democracy27's Academic Advisory Board (AAB) brings together leading scholars and public intellectuals whose research spans democracy, democratic innovation, political participation and political institutions.
Convened to support the intellectual rigour and credibility of Democracy27's flagship report on democratic renewal in Europe, the Board acts as an independent sounding board throughout the report's development: testing emerging arguments, challenging assumptions and bringing diverse disciplinary perspectives to the analysis.
The Academic Advisory Board is chaired by Democracy27 Task Force member Prof. Madeleine de Cock Buning.
Members of the Academic Advisory Board
Alberto Alemanno
Jean Monnet Professor of European Union Law at HEC Paris and founder of The Good Lobby
Johanna Mair
Director and Professor of Governance, Institutions and Societal Transformation, Florence School of Transnational Governance, European University Institute (EUI)
Kalypso Nicolaïdis
Chair in Global Affairs, Florence School of Transnational Governance, European University Institute (EUI)
Steven Wilson
Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Gothenburg; Director, V-Dem Institute
The Academic Symposia
Between September and November 2026, Democracy27 is convening three public online symposia bringing together members of the Academic Advisory Board to test and debate the project's emerging hypotheses on democratic decline in Europe.
Each session focuses on a distinct cluster of drivers and brings scholars into direct conversation with one another, rather than through individual consultations alone.
Three Symposia, Three Perspectives
I. Society & Technology - Their interplay and implications for democracy (Past Symposium – 25th September 2026)
This First Academic Symposium explored how social fragmentation and technological change are reshaping democratic life. Bringing together Claes de Vreese (University of Amsterdam), Jane Suiter (Dublin City University), Damir Kapidžić (University of Sarajevo) and Steven Wilson (University of Gothenburg and V-Dem Institute), the discussion examined the impact of changing identities, social divisions, artificial intelligence and evolving information environments on democratic participation. The session was moderated by Prof. Dr Madeleine de Cock Buning, Democracy27 Task Force member and Chair of the Academic Advisory Board.
II. Power & Representation - The relationship between citizens, institutions and political power
End of October 2026
(More information coming soon)
III. Economy & Delivery - Prosperity, social status and democratic legitimacy
End of November 2026
(More information coming soon)